Narcolepsy is a condition that affects many people in the world. Classified as a chronic sleep disorder, symptoms and signs include extreme fatigue and sleepiness during the day, or during times where fatigue is not expected or appropriate. This can result in the sufferer to fall asleep at random times, normally suddenly. This extreme fatigue or sleepiness the sufferer experiences can also effect their nighttime sleep, causing them to be more alert and awake at night, although they can also be tired at night as well. About 3 million people are affected by narcolepsy worldwide. Although unrelated, narcolepsy can be mistaken for other disorders such as depression, drug use, apathy, or poor sleeping habits.

Although narcolepsy may affect somebody’s life significantly there are many ways to deal with it. One way for someone suffering from narcolepsy to live comfortably is by using stimulants to counter the effects of the daytime fatigue and sleepiness that narcolepsy brings on. This includes the use of caffeine, energy drinks, drugs, or any other stimulants. Although this may help a little day to day with normal activities, prolonged use of stimulants to counter the effects of narcolepsy can make it worse. This can cause suffers to physically depend on the stimulants and while it is helping the individual combat the symptoms, it is not actually treating the disorder itself but obstructing it. This can change and damage the normal sleep cycle.

Another way for someone to combat narcolepsy is through prescribed medication. Gamma-hydroxybutyrate is a generic term for the only medication that is approved for treatment of narcolepsy. This way of treatment is effective as it can counter the daytime fatigue experienced, and improve overall sleep quality, which will in turn reduce the sleepiness experienced throughout the day. However, this drug has a high potential for abuse and it is expensive to obtain.

While pills and oral treatments are a way to help narcolepsy, a simple change in one’s lifestyle can help a sufferer. Someone suffering from narcolepsy could change their lifestyles so that they sleep during the day and be most productive during the night. Also, poor sleeping patterns at night can lead to the extreme fatigue during the daytime, where a change in nighttime sleeping patterns can help symptoms of narcolepsy. One way that can be used to help alleviate symptoms is through therapy. This can include hypnosis, or frequent short naps during the day. With hypnosis, the victim can have a deeper sleep and state of mind, causing less tiredness during the day.

Source: WebMD